James Harden has added the Blazers to his list

I’m Hopped on eggnog and rum it took me half hour to compose that reply so thanks a lot.

 

I don't think Harden actually has interest in becoming a Blazer, though the possibility that he's close with Olshey makes me think that the 0% chance is maybe more like 10%.

The bigger problem is that Portland has nothing to offer. McCollum is not a star, not particularly young and he's way overpaid--pretty much the worst possible asset to offer to a team that's looking to rebuild, trading the second-best player in their history and doesn't want to spend a ton of money. Harden is not in his final year, so Houston doesn't have to be desperate to trade now and, even if they were, they can definitely get better than McCollum. Nothing else Portland has to offer rates as more than a throw-in, for a deal like this. To cut bait on Harden now, a few years before he reaches free agency, Houston is (rightly) going to want a young star, some talented young supporting players and some first round picks.

Finally, even though Portland can't get him, Portland should absolutely want him. He's definitely one of the five best players in the league and arguably a top-ten offensive weapon in NBA history. The upgrade over McCollum shatters the measurement device. Yes, he always wants to be the hub, but he's a hub that's great at getting everyone involved and scores efficiently. You should always want more of those players.

 

he has a lot more flab now

 

My best offer would be McCollum, Trent, Collins, and picks. They’d probably have to throw in a guy like Kenyon Jr just because we’d need to fill out the roster but those are minimal details. We’d also be in the tax, but if you’re getting Harden, you’re clearly going for it.

 

This is an easy yes. Although, I'd be more excited at the prospect of adding Harden if Stotts wasn't our coach.

Stotts would let Harden do whatever he wanted on the court.

I don't think Trent would have to be included.

 

Any deal would include CJ and Trent, I assume.

If you think Harden puts us in a serious place to win, you make that deal. I’d prefer not to deal Trent. But if you think it gives us a chance to win, you make the deal.

I’m not sure where I sit as far as dealing for Harden giving us the chance to win.

 

If we include Trent that leaves Simons, CJ2, and Blevins as backup guards...that’s real bad.

I believe it would take CJ/Zach/Trent and at least 1 first.

Wall
CJ/Trent
House/Gordon
Wood/Tucker
Cousins/Collins

I actually like that for Hou.

Dame/Simons
Harden/CJ2
DJJ/Hood/Nas
RoCo/Melo/Giles
Nurk/Kanter

???

Personally I’d do it, not many teams have 2 top 10 players.

 

Including Trent, Collins and more 1sts on top of CJ is a lot of youth. With Collins being injured, they would have to waive the physical. Would love that to be Kanter instead and give up an extra pick or take the restrictions off the one we already owe them.

 

I only have it once a year and always spiked, but it’s kinda like a dessert for me.

 

Nassir would get minutes there.

 

we could also sign some vet that’s still available. There are a couple decent ones, like Korver.

 

And this one isn't coming around now.

 

is that better than:

Paul (26 PER , 10 WS) / Joe Johnson
Harden (MVP yr) / Gordon
Ariza / Gerald Green
Tucker / Ryan Anderson / Mbah a Moute
Capela / Nene

 

THIS. I don't care if Harden has issues, I would trade CJ for him in a microsecond.

By the way, I haven't been paying attention....what's going on with Harden? Did he piss someone off, or is he just violating COVID bubble rules?

 

The night before Xmas. Can Santa brings James Harden to Portland?

 

Just to recap:
We need someone to take the load off Lillard and can handle the ball
We need scoring
Stars never want to come here
We need more playmakers
CJ needs to go
Harden may or may not want to come here and...people don’t want him.

got it